Detecting opening of a washing agent dispenser lid in a dishwasher

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are a dishwasher and a method at a dishwasher for detecting opening of a washing agent dispenser lid. The dishwasher may include a dispenser accommodated in a dishwasher door and being arranged to dispose a washing agent in a compartment of the dishwasher at the opening of a dispenser lid. The dishwasher may further include at least one sensor arranged to detect a shock caused by the dispenser lid opening against the dishwasher door, and to communicate a signal in response thereto indicative of the dispenser lid opening; and may include a controller arranged to receive the signal and to determine an action to be taken on the basis of the received signal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a dishwasher and a method at a dishwasher fordetecting opening of a washing agent dispenser lid.

BACKGROUND

In dishwashers, there is a dispenser accommodated in the dishwasher doorfor retaining and, during operation of the dishwasher, disposing awashing agent such as detergent into the compartment when a washingprogramme is activated by a user. Thus, the dishwasher executes thewashing programme and opens a lid of the detergent dispenser such thatdetergent can be disposed in the compartment.

However, if the dispenser lid gets stuck such that the detergent cannotbe disposed in the compartment, or if the lid does not fully open, thegoods to be cleaned in the compartment will not be exposed to detergent,or only a small amount of detergent. Thus, when the washing programmehas finished, the goods will most likely still be soiled, and thewashing programme must be executed a second time, wasting both energyand water in addition to rendering an inferior user experience.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to solve, or at least mitigate,this problem in the art and to provide a dishwasher and a method at adishwasher for detecting whether a detergent dispenser lid opens duringdishwasher operation.

This object is achieved in a first aspect of the present invention by adishwasher comprising a dispenser accommodated in a dishwasher door andbeing arranged to dispose a washing agent in a compartment of thedishwasher at the opening of a dispenser lid. The dishwasher comprisesat least one sensor arranged to detect a shock caused by the dispenserlid opening against the dishwasher door, and to communicate a signal inresponse thereto indicative of the dispenser lid opening. Further, thedishwasher comprises a controller arranged to receive the signal of thesensor and to determine an action to be taken on the basis of thereceived signal.

This object is achieved in a second aspect of the present invention by amethod of detecting opening of a washing agent dispenser lid in adishwasher. The method comprises the steps of detecting whether a shockoccurs caused by the dispenser lid opening against the dishwasher door,and determining an action to be taken in response to the detected shock.

Advantageously, the sensor is arranged such that it detects a shockcaused by the dispenser lid opening against the dishwasher door. Thesensor will in response to the detected shock caused by the lid openingcommunicate a signal indicating the opening of the dispenser lid to thecontroller. When the controller receives the signal indicative of thelid opening, an appropriate action can be taken.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the controller receivesthe signal indicative of the lid opening within an expected time period,thereby indicating a correct behaviour of the dispenser lid, thecontroller is advantageously arranged to proceed with executing theselected washing programme.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, if the controller doesnot receive the signal indicative of the dispenser lid opening within anexpected time period, thereby indicating an incorrect behaviour of thelid such as e.g. the lid being accidentally closed by a plate leaningagainst it, the controller is advantageously arranged to proceed withterminating the selected washing programme.

In yet a further embodiment, the controller is advantageously arrangedto communicate to a user whether the dispenser lid has opened or not viaa user interface, such that the user can take further action. This canbe performed visually and/or audibly via the user interface.

It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations offeatures recited in the claims. Further features of, and advantageswith, the present invention will become apparent when studying theappended claims and the following description. Those skilled in the artrealize that different features of the present invention can be combinedto create embodiments other than those described in the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a dishwasher in which the present invention can beimplemented.

FIG. 2a shows a cross section side view of a dishwasher door where anembodiment of the present invention is incorporated.

FIG. 2b shows a cross section side view of a dishwasher door where anembodiment of the present invention is incorporated.

FIGS. 3a and b illustrate another type of dispenser lid that can bedetected according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments ofthe invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided byway of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete,and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in theart. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

By the expression “process water” as used herein, is meant a liquidcontaining mainly water that is used in and circulates in a dishwasher.The process water is water that may contain detergent and/or rinse aidin a varying amount. The process water may also contain soil, such asfood debris or other types of solid particles, as well as dissolvedliquids or compounds. Process water used in a main wash cycle issometimes referred to as the wash liquid. Process water used in a rinsecycle is sometimes referred to as cold rinse or hot rinse depending onthe temperature in the rinse cycle.

FIG. 1 shows a dishwasher 10 in which the present invention can beimplemented. It should be noted that dishwashers can take on many formsand include many different functionalities. The dishwasher 10illustrated in FIG. l is thus used to explain different embodiments ofthe present invention and should only be seen as an example of adishwasher in which the present application can be applied.

The dishwasher 10 comprises a washing compartment or tub 11 housing anupper basket 12, a middle basket 13 and a lower basket 14 foraccommodating goods to be washed. Typically, cutlery is accommodated inthe upper basket 12, while plates, drinking-glasses, trays, etc. areplaced in the middle basket 13 and the lower basket 14.

A washing agent, such as rinse aid or detergent in the form of liquid,powder or tablets is dosed in a detergent compartment located on theinside of a door (not shown in FIG. 1) of the dishwasher 10 by a user,which washing agent is controllably discharged into the washingcompartment 11 in accordance with a selected washing programme. Theoperation of the dishwasher 10 is typically controlled by processingunit/controller 40 (CPU) executing appropriate software. In thefollowing, the washing agent will be exemplified in the form ofdetergent.

Fresh water is supplied to the washing compartment 11 via water inlet 15and water supply valve 16. This fresh water is eventually collected in aso called sump 17, where the fresh water is mixed with the dischargeddetergent resulting in process water 18. At the bottom of the washingcompartment is a filter 19 for filtering soil from the process waterbefore the process water leaves the compartment via process water outlet20 for subsequent re-entry into the washing compartment 11 throughcirculation pump 21. Thus, the process water 18 passes the filter 19 andis pumped through the circulation pump 21, which typically is driven bya brushless direct current (BLDC) motor 22, via a conduit 23 andrespective process water valves 24, 25 and sprayed into the washingcompartment 11 via nozzles (not shown) of a respective wash arm 26, 27,28 associated with each basket 12,13,14. Thus, the process water 18exits the washing compartment 11 via the filter 19 and is recirculatedvia the circulation pump 21 and sprayed onto the goods to be washedaccommodated in the respective basket via nozzles of an upper wash arm26, middle wash arm 27 and lower wash arm 28.

The washing compartment 11 of the dishwasher 10 is drained on processwater 18 with a drain pump 29 driven by a BLDC motor 30. It should benoted that it can be envisaged that the drain pump 29 and thecirculation pump 21 may be driven by one and the same motor.

FIG. 2a shows a cross section side view of a dishwasher door 32 forclosing the compartment during dishwasher operation. In the door 32, adetergent dispenser 33 is accommodated for housing detergent (andpossibly rinse aid) to be disposed in the process water during theexecution of a selected washing programme. The detergent dispenser 33 isarranged with a lid 34 which can be closed in order to retain thedetergent filled by a user in the dispenser 33 until the selectedwashing programme instructs the controller 40 (shown in FIG. 1), beingcommunicatively connected to the detergent dispenser, to perform anappropriate action to open the lid 34 such that the detergent can bedisposed from the dispenser 33 into the process water in the dishwashercompartment in a dose advocated by the selected washing programme.Further, the dishwasher 10 of the present invention is arranged with atleast one sensor 31, such as an accelerometer, for detecting opening ofthe dispenser lid 34.

FIG. 2b shows a cross section side view of the dishwasher door 32 wherethe lid 34 of the detergent dispenser 33 has been opened such that thedetergent is disposed into the dishwasher compartment. The lid 34 pivotsaround a hinge 35 to move into an open position. When the lid 34 isopened it will cause a shock against the compartment door 32 which willbe detected by the sensor 31. In an embodiment, the sensor 31 isarranged in the door 32, and in mechanical contact with the inner faceof the door 32, at a location where the detergent dispenser lid 34 opensagainst it. Thereby, the shock caused on the inner face of the door 32,and thus the sensor 31, will advantageously be sufficiently powerful tomake a great impact on the sensor 31. As a result, the shock caused bythe opening lid 34 is powerful enough not to be confused with e.g.process water splashing onto the inner face of door 32.

The sensor 31 will in response to the detected shock communicate asignal indicating the opening of the detergent dispenser lid 34 to thecontroller 40. When the controller 40 receives the signal indicative ofthe lid 34 opening, an appropriate action can be taken.

For instance, in an embodiment, when the controller 40 receives thesignal indicative of the lid 34 opening within an expected time period,thereby indicating a correct behaviour of the dispenser lid 34, thecontroller 40 is arranged to proceed with executing the selected washingprogramme.

Analogously, in a further embodiment, if the controller 40 does notreceive the signal indicative of the dispenser lid 34 opening within anexpected time period, thereby indicating an incorrect behaviour of thelid 34 such as e.g. the lid being unintentionally closed by a plateleaning against it, the controller 40 is arranged to proceed withterminating the selected washing programme.

In a further embodiment, the controller 40 is advantageously arranged tocommunicate to a user whether the detergent dispenser lid 34 has openedor not via a user interface 36, such that the user can take furtheraction. This can be performed visually and/or audibly via the userinterface 36 typically located at an upper section of the dishwasherdoor.

FIGS. 3a and b illustrate another type of dispenser lid that can bedetected according to the present invention. This type of lid movessubstantially in a plane of the compartment door. It can move eitherhorizontally or vertically depending on implementation.

FIG. 3b shows a front view of a dishwasher door 32 (from the compartmentside) for closing the compartment during dishwasher operation. In thedoor 32, a detergent dispenser 33 is accommodated for housing detergent(and/or possibly rinse aid) to be disposed in the process water duringthe execution of a selected washing programme. The detergent dispenser33 is arranged with a lid 34 which can be closed in order to retain thedetergent filled by a user in the dispenser 33 until the selectedwashing programme instructs the controller 40 (shown in FIG. 1), beingcommunicatively connected to the detergent dispenser, to perform anappropriate action to open the lid 34 such that the detergent can bedisposed from the dispenser 33 into the process water in the dishwashercompartment in a dose advocated by the selected washing programme.Further, the dishwasher 10 of the present invention is arranged with atleast one sensor 31, such as an accelerometer, for detecting opening ofthe dispenser lid 34.

FIG. 3b shows a view of the dishwasher door 32 where the lid 34 of thedetergent dispenser 33 has been opened vertically in the plane of thedoor 32 such that the detergent is disposed into the dishwashercompartment. The lid 34 slides along the dishwasher door 32 to move intoan open position, thus causing a shock against the compartment door 32which will be detected by the sensor 31. In an embodiment, the sensor 31is arranged in the door 32, and in mechanical contact with the innerface of the door 32, at a location where the detergent dispenser lid 34opens against it. Thereby, the shock caused on the inner face of thedoor 32, and thus the sensor 31, will advantageously be sufficientlypowerful to make a great impact on the sensor 31. As a result, the shockcaused by the opening lid 34 is powerful enough not to be confused withe.g. process water splashing onto the inner face of door 32.

The sensor 31 will in response to the detected shock communicate asignal indicating the opening of the detergent dispenser lid 34 to thecontroller 40. When the controller 40 receives the signal indicative ofthe lid 34 opening, an appropriate action can be taken as previously hasbeen described.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of detectingopening of a detergent dispenser lid in a dishwasher according to thepresent invention. In a first step S101 a shock caused by the detergentdispenser lid opening against the dishwasher door is detected.Thereafter, in step S102, an action to be taken in response to thedetected shock is determined.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a fewembodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled inthe art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equallypossible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appendedpatent claims.

1. A dishwasher comprising a dispenser accommodated in a dishwasher doorand being arranged to dispose a washing agent in a compartment of thedishwasher at the opening of a dispenser lid, the dishwasher furthercomprising: at least one sensor arranged to detect a shock caused by thedispenser lid opening against the dishwasher door, and to communicate asignal in response thereto indicative of the dispenser lid opening; anda controller arranged to receive the signal and to determine an actionto be taken on the basis of the received signal.
 2. The dishwasheraccording to claim 1, the controller further being arranged to proceedwith executing a selected washing program if the signal is receivedwithin a predetermined time period from activation of the selectedwashing program.
 3. The dishwasher according to claim 1, the controllerfurther being arranged to proceed with terminating a selected washingprogram if the signal is not received within a predetermined time periodfrom activation of the selected washing program.
 4. The dishwasheraccording to claim 1, the at least one sensor being arranged in thedishwasher door at a location where the dispenser lid opens against thedishwasher door.
 5. The dishwasher according to claim 1, the at leastone sensor comprising an accelerometer.
 6. The dishwasher according toclaim 1, the controller further being arranged to communicate to a uservia a user interface that the dispenser lid has not opened within apredetermined time period.
 7. A method of detecting opening of a washingagent dispenser lid in a dishwasher, the method comprising: detectingwhether a shock occurs caused by the dispenser lid opening against thedishwasher door; determining an action to be taken in response to thedetected shock.
 8. The method according to claim 7, the action to betaking comprising: proceeding with terminating a selected washingprogram if no shock occurs within a predetermined time period fromactivation of the selected washing program.
 9. The method according toclaim 7, further comprising: communicating to a user if the shock hasnot occurred within a predetermined time period.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 7, the action to be taken comprising: proceeding withexecuting a selected washing program if the shock occurs within apredetermined time period from activation of the selected washingprogram.